Which Keysight test set is appropriate for general service and manufacturing of land‑mobile and cellular radios?

The 8920 family (8920A and the 8920B) is positioned as an integrated RF communications test set combining many bench instruments for service, repair and production. The 8920B extends the 8920A with improved measurement speed and accuracy and includes RF generator coverage down to 250 kHz and up to 1000 MHz.

Which instruments are used for base‑station emulation and protocol conformance testing?

Protocol and base‑station emulation are typically performed on hardware platforms that host licensed lab applications. The E5515C is the 8960 Series 10 hardware platform that supports GSM, W‑CDMA, HSPA, cdma2000 and related lab applications. For mobile‑station protocol testing, the E8285A is a purpose‑built CDMA/PCS and analog dual‑mode test set with integrated protocol stacks and AWGN capability.

What should be chosen for high‑frequency S‑parameter measurements?

Pick a VNA‑matched test set with the necessary frequency range and connector type. For example, the 8517B test set supports 45 MHz to 50 GHz with 2.4 mm test ports and separate reference channels for each incident port. For lower microwave spans the 8514B and dedicated transmission/reflection kits provide appropriate directivity and connector options.

Which Keysight models target WLAN, Bluetooth or WiMAX testing?

WLAN and Bluetooth multi‑format testing is served by faceless, PC‑controlled platforms such as the N4010A, which covers the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands with options for Bluetooth and Bluetooth EDR. Mobile WiMAX protocol testing is provided by the E6651A, which targets IEEE 802.16e‑2005 and supports TDD channel bandwidths and MIMO modes.

Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) — Test Sets

21 models with full specifications in Test Sets.

This page summarizes Keysight (formerly Agilent / HP) test sets relevant to RF and communications test applications: integrated RF communications test sets for service and manufacture, base‑station and mobile‑station emulation platforms for protocol and conformance labs, and network‑analyzer transmission/reflection/S‑parameter test sets and accessories for microwave measurements. It is written for engineers and technical buyers choosing instruments by capability (frequency range, connector type, supported standards, and automation interfaces) rather than price or availability. Only model names used as examples are cited; the full model table below contains detailed specifications.

Manufacturer: Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP)
Category: Test Sets
Example RF comms set (8920B) RF generator: 250 kHz to 1000 MHz
Example VNA test set (8517B) frequency range: 45 MHz to 50 GHz

All models

Model	Type	Interfaces	Operating Temperature	Dimensions (W×H×D)
8920B	RF Communications	GPIB (IEEE-488), RS-232, PCMCIA (2x Type II), External Reference Input/Output (BNC), Trigger Input/Output (BNC), RF Input (N-type), RF Output (N-type), Audio Input (BNC), Audio Output (BNC), Microphone Input, Speaker Output	0 to 55 °C	426 mm (W) × 178 mm (H) × 584 mm (D)
N4010A	*misc	—	—	—
E5515C	RF Communications	GPIB, LAN	—	—
J2127A	*misc	—	—	—
85046A	S Parameter	Proprietary interconnect cable (controlled by host network analyzer)	0 to 55 °C	—
43961A	RF Communications	—	—	—
85047A	S Parameter	Special multi-pin interconnect cable to network analyzer, BNC female DC bias inputs	0 to 55 °C	—
85131F	*misc	—	—	—
E6651A	*misc	—	—	—
8517B	S Parameter	8510 Test Set Interconnect (controlled by 8510 VNA system)	0 to 55 °C	425 mm × 133 mm × 508 mm
8920A	RF Communications	GPIB (IEEE-488.2), RS-232, Parallel Printer Port (typically with Option 003)	0 to +55 °C	330 mm × 188 mm × 456 mm
N5182A-503	RF Communications	GPIB, LAN (100Base-T), USB 2.0 Host, USB 2.0 Device, LXI Class C	0 to 55 °C	426 mm × 88 mm × 489 mm
41952A	*misc	None (Passive RF device)	0 °C to 55 °C	190 mm × 55 mm × 250 mm
87512A	*misc	—	0 °C to 55 °C	180 mm × 61 mm × 187 mm
11729C	Noise	HP-IB (IEEE-488)	0 to +55 °C	425 mm × 177 mm × 524 mm
3708A	Noise	HP-IB	0 to +55 °C	425 mm × 177 mm × 625 mm
8514B	S Parameter	HP 8510 Test Set Interconnect (proprietary multi-pin interface)	0 to 55 °C	425 mm × 133 mm × 508 mm
E5092A	*misc	USB (Type-B, for control from E5071C VNA)	5 °C to 40 °C	426 mm × 132 mm × 341 mm
E7495B	*misc	LAN (10/100 Base-T), USB 1.1 Host, RS-232 Serial, PCMCIA (Type II)	0 to 50 °C	310 mm × 244 mm × 114 mm
E8285A	CDMA	GPIB (IEEE-488), RS-232 serial, Parallel (Centronics)	0 to 55 °C	426 mm × 177 mm × 574 mm
N5500A	*misc	GPIB (IEEE-488)	0 °C to +55 °C	426 mm × 177 mm × 546 mm

How Keysight’s test‑set range is organised

Keysight’s test‑set portfolio in this category covers three practical groupings: integrated RF communications test sets, protocol and base‑station/mobile‑station emulation platforms, and network/analyzer test sets plus transmission/reflection kits and accessories. Integrated, portable sets such as the 8920A/8920B combine multiple bench measurements into one chassis for service, repair and production test of land‑mobile and cellular radios. Lab platforms such as the E5515C (the 8960 Series 10 hardware platform) host licensed lab applications for GSM, W‑CDMA, cdma2000 and other cellular technologies. Rugged, fieldable instruments such as the E7495B combine spectrum analysis, cable/antenna checks, signal generation and power metering for base‑station work.

Network‑analyzer test sets, kits and RF‑test accessories

For two‑port S‑parameter and transmission/reflection work Keysight supplies dedicated test sets that match specific VNA families and frequency spans. High‑frequency VNA test sets such as the 8517B are specified to 45 MHz–50 GHz with 2.4 mm test connectors and four‑channel reference architecture for accurate microwave S‑parameter measurements; earlier VNA test sets such as the 8514B cover 45 MHz–20 GHz and use 3.5 mm test ports. Transmission/reflection kits and passive test sets (for example the 41952A and 87512A family members) target lower frequency ranges and offer specified directivity, insertion loss and DC bias ports for device characterization. Precision flexible cable sets such as the 85131F (DC to 26.5 GHz) and one‑port impedance kits such as the 43961A extend or add specific measurement capabilities to compatible analyzers.

Standards‑specific platforms and signal sources

When tests require protocol emulation or standards coverage, choose instruments that list the needed technology and automation support. The E5515C hosts 8960 lab applications for GSM, W‑CDMA, HSPA and cdma2000 families. For CDMA/PCS and analog dual‑mode mobile testing the E8285A provides integrated stacks and features such as an internal AWGN generator and simultaneous transmitter/receiver measurements. For WLAN and Bluetooth development use faceless multi‑format platforms like the N4010A (2.4/5 GHz bands, 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth optioning). For Mobile WiMAX protocol testing the E6651A is targeted to IEEE 802.16e‑2005 with TDD channels and MIMO modes. When the DUT requires custom or very low‑level stimulus, add a vector signal generator such as the N5182A‑503 to generate wideband, digitally modulated waveforms.

How to choose between Keysight models

Match the instrument to the measurement role and the DUT interface:

Frequency coverage: pick a test set whose RF range covers the DUT and any harmonics or test‑bands you need (examples above show ranges from sub‑MHz to tens of GHz).
Standards and emulation: if protocol conformance or base‑station emulation is required, select a platform that hosts the needed lab applications (for example, the E5515C platform or the standards‑targeted E8285A / E6651A).
Host vs faceless operation: faceless instruments such as the N4010A are intended for PC control and automation; integrated sets like the 8920B include front‑panel operation and built‑in IBASIC or instrument drivers for automated sequences.
Connector and calibration workflow: choose test sets and kits that match the VNA or analyzer connector standard you use (APC‑7, 3.5 mm, 2.4 mm, Type‑N) and the required directivity/insertion‑loss specs.

Review the full model table for connector types, directivity, interfaces (GPIB/LAN/PCMCIA/USB) and exact frequency limits before final selection.